The spread of Buddhism brought Ramayana to Japan where it came to be known as Ramaenna or Ramaensho.
Japanese Ramayana were written during the 10th century as Sambo Ekotoba and 12th century as Hobutsushu (Jewel Collection).
Bugaku and Gagaku dance styles of 8 to 12 century based on Indian classical dances are popular for depicting Japanese Ramayan.
Japanese producer and director Yugo Sako read Valmiki’s Ramayana in Japanese and went on to study ten different versions and made the most popular award winning animated cartoon on Ramayan. (Ref: Japanese Ramayana)
